Trays for plant cultivation

ABSTRACT

A shelving system for plant cultivation includes a frame, at least two vertically-spaced support racks, a plant support tray positioned atop each of said support racks, an optional forced-air ventilations system, and an optional lighting system. A pair of upright frame portions have support racks extending between the upright frame portions. The plant support trays each have a pot-supporting surface and a series of grooves or channels extending below the pot-supporting surface. Optionally, the plant support trays have integral water runoff troughs that receive runoff water from the grooves, channels, or openings. Optionally, a drive mechanism is coupled to the frame and is operable to cause the frame to translate along a floor surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 62/633,588, filed Feb. 21, 2018, and U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 62/586,165, filed Nov. 14, 2017, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to plant cultivating systems andequipment, in particular for indoor or greenhouse farming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Efficiency and productivity for indoor growing rely on efficient spaceutilization and optimal lighting, watering, and air flow to meet a givenplant type's needs while minimizing waste of electricity and water loss,and reducing the risks of mold and disease that can reduce production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a shelving system and plant-support traysfor efficient plant cultivation in indoor environments ranging fromgreen houses to environmentally isolated buildings or other structureswhere all plant growth needs, from lighting to water and nutrients, areprovided by caretakers. The system includes provisions for lighting,ventilation, watering and water drainage, for plants arranged inrespective pots or containers and resting in or on drainage trays invertically stacked arrangement.

In one form of the present invention, a shelving system for plantcultivation includes a frame with at least two upright frame portions, adrive mechanism coupled to the frame, at least two vertically-spacedsupport racks extending between the upright frame portions of the frame,a plant support tray at each support rack, a forced-air ventilationsystem, and a lighting system. The drive mechanism is operable to movethe frame along a substantially horizontal support surface, such as afloor in a warehouse or greenhouse. Each plant support tray has a potsupporting surface and a plurality of grooves or channels extendingbelow the pot supporting surface. The forced-air ventilation systemincludes a duct positioned below an upper one of the support racks, andthe lighting system includes electric lamps supported below the uppersupport rack and below the duct.

In another form of the present invention, a plant support tray includesa perimeter wall, a planar plant support surface with a plurality ofdrainage channels extending downwardly therefrom, and a trough forcollecting runoff fluids. The perimeter wall has an upper edge portionand a lower edge portion lying in a lower horizontal plane that isspaced below the upper edge portion. The planar plant support surfacelies in an intermediate plane located between the perimeter wall's upperedge portion and the lower horizontal plane, and is positioned inwardlyof the perimeter wall. The drainage channels extend below theintermediate plane, and are sloped downwardly from the rear end regionof the plant support surface to a front end region of the plant supportsurface, toward the trough. The trough includes a bottom trough surfacethat is positioned below the drainage channels.

Therefore, the plant shelving system and trays of the present inventionprovide for efficient space utilization and ease of use, includingmaintenance of the system and care of plants being grown on the system.The trays can support potted plants in a horizontal plane when on ahorizontal rack, while providing sloped drainage channels to a runoffcollection trough, and are readily cleanable, particularly whenunitarily formed of a resinous plastic or stamped metal, for example.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thisinvention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shelf system for plant cultivation, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting several of the shelf systems ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of another shelf system for plantcultivation, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lower portion of a shelf system, withportions removed to show underlying structure;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of a lower portion of a shelf system,similar to that of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a support structure of the shelfsystem of FIG. 4, with a tray raised to show underlying structure;

FIG. 7 a perspective end view of a lower portion of another shelf systemin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 a perspective view depicting a corner region of the shelf systemof FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a support structure of the shelfsystem of FIG. 7, with corrugated support panel raised to showunderlying structure;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of two adjacent and overlappingcorrugated support panels and a water runoff trough of the shelf systemof FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view depicting a corner region of theshelf system of FIG. 7, with corrugated panels shown in transparency toshow underlying structure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an end portion of the water runofftrough of the shelf system of FIG. 11, with corrugated panels omitted toshow underlying structure including a drain fitting;

FIG. 13 is an end elevation depicting the corrugated panel and waterrunoff trough of FIGS. 7-12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view depicting a corner region of a shelfsystem similar to that of FIG. 7, with corrugated panels shown intransparency to show underlying structure including an alternative waterrunoff trough;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a plant support tray in accordancewith the present invention, having a grid pattern of drainage andairflow channels, a full-length trough, and built-in runoff slope;

FIG. 16 is an end elevation of the plant support tray of FIG. 15;

FIG. 16A is a top perspective view of another plant support tray inaccordance with the present invention, having a grid pattern of drainageand airflow channels, a full-length trough, and built-in runoff slope;

FIG. 16B is another top perspective view of the plant support tray ofFIG. 16A, shown supported at a rack-supported shelf;

FIG. 16C is a left side sectional elevation of the plant support tray ofFIG. 16A;

FIG. 16D is a top perspective view of a corner region of the plantsupport tray of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 16E is a bottom perspective view of the corner region of FIG. 16D;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of a plant support tray in accordancewith the present invention, having a grid pattern of drainage andairflow channels, a small runoff trough, and no built-in runoff slope;

FIG. 18 is an end elevation of the plant support tray of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a plant support tray in accordancewith the present invention, having a grid pattern of drainage andairflow channels, a full-length trough, and no built-in runoff slope;

FIG. 20 is an end elevation of the plant support tray of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of a plant support tray in accordancewith the present invention, having a substantially continuous planarsupport surface, a full-length trough, and no built-in runoff slope;

FIG. 22 is an end elevation of the plant support tray of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view depicting support structure for aplant support tray;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another plant support tray supported bysupport structure of one of the shelf systems for plant cultivation;

FIG. 25 is a perspective end view of the shelf system of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is an end elevation of a portion of another shelf system,depicting a tray and trough support structure;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged end view of a tray and trough support structureof FIG. 26, shown supporting a water runoff trough;

FIG. 28 is a top perspective view of the water runoff trough of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of an upper region of the shelf systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a corner region at a lower portion ofthe shelf system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of another plant support tray inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the plant support tray of FIG. 31,shown fitted with a wire rack plant support insert;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a corner region of another plantsupport tray, including integral water runoff trough and drain opening;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an upper region of the shelf system ofFIG. 3, shown fitted with a netting; and

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a lower region of the shelf system ofFIG. 25, including a drive and support system thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, a shelving system 10 for plant cultivation includes a framewith at least two upright frame portions 12, a drive mechanism 14 formoving the frame along a floor or other substantially horizontal supportsurface, at least two vertically-spaced support racks 16, and one ormore plant support trays 18 positioned atop each of the support racks16, such as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Shelving system 10 provides forefficient space utilization, both horizontal and vertical, in plantgrowing environments such as in greenhouses and other indoor growingareas. To provide such efficiency, support racks 16 are verticallyrepositionable along upright frame portions 12, which permits additionalsupport racks 16 to be added when they are spaced relatively close toone another in the vertical direction. As will be described in moredetail below, drive system 14 permits individual frames of the system tobe positioned closely together in side-by-side arrangement, and movedapart only when caretakers must have access to particular racks 16 orthe plants that they support.

The vertically-spaced support racks 16 extend between the upright frameportions 12 and may define respective horizontal or substantiallyhorizontal tray-supporting surfaces 19, or may define slopedtray-supporting surfaces to promote drainage. The plant support trays 18each including a pot supporting surface 20 and a plurality of grooves orchannels or openings 22 extending below the pot supporting surface 20,as will be described below in more detail. Optionally, a forced-airventilation system 24 includes one or more ducts 26 disposed below andsupported by an upper support rack 16, such as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and5. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 4, ventilation system 24includes a manifold duct 28 having a blower motor (not shown) mountedthereto, with two ducts 26 in fluid communication with manifold duct 28.Ventilation system 24 can direct air or other gases (such as air withelevated carbon dioxide levels) onto and around plants supported intrays 18 via duct openings 26 a. A lighting system including electriclamps 30 is supported below the upper support rack 16 and below theducts 26. Electric lamps 30 may be LED grow lamps or substantially anysuitable lighting for the plants being cultivated on the system 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the upright frame portions 12includes a pair of vertical posts 12 a, each with a plurality ofvertically-spaced securing elements in the form of slots or openings 32for engaging corresponding respective securing elements in the form ofstud-flanges or hooks 34 of the support racks 16, such as shown in FIG.30. The support racks 16 are vertically adjustable along the verticalposts 12 a via selective engagement of the support rack securingelements 34 with the vertical post securing elements 32.

Various forms or configurations of plant support trays 18 areenvisioned, typically formed from a single piece of sheet metal, moldedor thermoformed or machined resinous plastic, or a combination of metaland plastic components. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 15 and16, plant support trays 18 a may be configured so that the potsupporting surface 20 a is level and parallel to a level horizontalplane PH (FIG. 16) when a tray-supporting surface 19 of the support rack16 defines a sloped plane (see, e.g., FIG. 25), while the plurality ofgrooves or channels or openings define water-carrying surfaces orchannels 22 that are sloped relative to the horizontal plane PH when theplant support trays are supported at the support racks.

Referring to FIGS. 16A-16E, a similar plant tray 218 is depicted ashaving a series of channels 222 arranged in a pattern of parallelograms(FIGS. 16A and 16B), with all channels 222 sloping down to a trough 236.The plant support tray 218 has a perimeter wall 238 with a top edge 238a that is parallel to its bottom edge 238 b, so that the top edge 238 ais in a plane parallel to the plane in which the bottom edge 238 b lies(FIG. 16C). Therefore, when the tray 218 is supported on a level shelf240, such as shown in FIG. 16B, both the top edge 238 a and bottom edge238 b of the perimeter wall 238 are level.

A plant support surface 220 a is spaced inwardly from the perimeter wall238, and is also substantially planar except for the series of drainagechannels 222 formed in it. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS.16A-16E, and as best shown in FIG. 16D, channels 222 may include primarychannels 222 a that extend from a back of the tray 218 to the trough 236at the front of the tray, and secondary channels 222 b that are setdiagonally to the primary channels 222 a. Referring to FIG. 16C, theplant support surface 220 a is in a substantially horizontal plane thatis parallel to the substantially horizontal planes in which the top edge238 a and bottom edge 238 b of the perimeter wall 238 lie, and is spacedbetween them. With this arrangement, plants in respective pots can beplaced on the plant support surface 220 a, and any runoff or leak-outwater will run down into the channels 222 and will also be contained bythe top edge 238 a of the perimeter wall 238.

At least the primary drainage channels 222 a are sloped so that they arerelatively shallow (i.e., they bottom out a short distance below theplant support surface) at the back of the tray, and so that they arerelatively deep (i.e., they bottom out a further distance below theplant support surface) at the front of a tray, where the collectiontrough 236 is located. The collection trough 236 is also sloped (fromupper-left to bottom-right in FIG. 16A) down to the drainage opening 237at one end. Thus, the plant support tray 218 can sit on a level shelf240, with plants supported in pots on a level plant support surface 220a, and any water runoff will still be channeled “downhill” in thechannels 222, toward the front of the tray and down to the drain 237 forcollection.

In another arrangement, and as shown in FIGS. 17-19, the plant supporttrays 18 b, 18 c are configured so that the pot supporting surfaces 20b, 20 c are sloped relative to a horizontal plane when a tray-supportingsurface of the support rack is also sloped relative to a horizontalplane. To provide sufficient drainage, it is desirable that theplurality of grooves or channels or openings define water-carryingsurfaces that are sloped relative to a horizontal plane when the plantsupport trays 18 are supported at the support racks 16. The supportracks 16 may be set at a substantially level horizontal orientation forplant support trays 18 b, 18 c configured to be supported in thatmanner, or may be set at a sloped orientation for other plant supporttrays (such as support tray 18 a of FIGS. 15 and 16) configured to restatop a sloped surface. The plant support trays 18 a, 18 c, 18 d of FIGS.15, 19 and 21 each include or define an elongate trough 36 at one end oredge portion thereof. Optionally, these elongate troughs 36 areunitarily formed with the pot supporting surfaces 20 a, 20 c, 20 d, andare also unitarily formed with surfaces defining the plurality ofgrooves or channels or openings, as well as with upstanding sidewallsalong outer periphery of each tray 18 a, 18 c, 18 d. Potted plants maybe placed at substantially any desired density that is desired along agiven plant support tray 18 a, 18 c, 18 d.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-14 there is shown an alternative to one-pieceplant support trays 18 a, 18 c, 18 d, in which a corrugated plantsupport tray 118 is formed from overlapping sections of corrugated orundulating sheet materials, such as stamped sheet metal or thermoformedor molded plastic sheet. Corrugated plant support tray 118 relies upon aseparate water runoff trough 136 supported at one of the support racks16 at an end of the corrugated or undulating sheet material 118. Thewater runoff trough 136 is configured to receive a flow of water fromchannels 22 of the corrugated or undulating sheet material 118, and todirect the flow of water to a drain fitting 138 positioned in a drainopening 137 formed in the water runoff trough 136. Sheet material 118may be formed with end flanges having extra height, to ensure thatpotted plants are contained on the tray and that water is channeled downto the trough 136.

The water runoff trough 136 includes a bottom wall 140 and first andsecond upright walls 142, 144 extending upwardly from opposite edges ofthe bottom wall 140, such as shown in FIGS. 11-13. The first uprightwall 142 has a lower height than the second upright wall 144, and thefirst upright wall 142 is configured to support an end of the corrugatedor undulating sheet material 118. The height of the second upright wall144 exceeds the height of the end of the corrugated or undulating sheetmaterial 118 resting atop the first upright wall 142, such as shown inFIGS. 11-13. An optional flange 144 a extends upwardly and rearwardlyfrom an upper end of second upright wall 144, in the direction of firstwall 142, and helps to ensure that channeled water is substantially alldirected down along bottom wall 140.

In other embodiments, plant support trays 18 may include a separate tubportion 40 and insert portion 42 in the form of a wire mesh orperforated surface, such as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32. In anotherexample, a metal formed pan or tray may have an integral trough 36 anddrain 37, such as shown in FIG. 33.

Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, each of thevertically-spaced support racks 16 includes a pair of generally Z-shapedelongate rails 38, each including a generally horizontal bottom leg 38a, a diagonally-aligned upright leg 38 b extending upwardly from one endof the bottom leg 38 a, a generally horizontal upper leg 38 c extendingfrom an upper end of the diagonally-aligned upright leg 38 b forsupporting an end of one of the plant support trays or troughs, and agenerally vertical upper leg 38 d extending from an end of the generallyhorizontal upper leg 38 c. Optionally, each of the generally Z-shapedelongate rails 38 includes a plurality of hooks 34 for engaging slots oropenings 32 in one of the vertical posts 12 a, such as shown in FIG. 30.Elongate rails 38 may be used to support cross-rails 19 or panelsextending between vertical posts 12 a, or to support trays or drainagetroughs 45 such as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

In order to provide enhanced horizontal space utilization in a growingenvironment, drive mechanism 14 allows adjacent shelving systems 10 tobe placed in close or abutting side-by-side arrangements when the system10 can be left to run in a fully or partially automated manner withoutneed for access by caretakers. A pair of horizontally-spaced rails 44are disposed along the substantially horizontal support surface F and aplurality of wheels 46 (FIG. 35) configured for rolling engagement alongthe rails 44. At least one of the wheels 46 is rotatably drivable byrotating a manual crank 48 or operating a powered drive system, forexample. Such systems are readily available from Pipp Mobile StorageSystems, Inc. of Walker, Mich.

Thus, it will be appreciated that the plant shelving system provides forefficient space utilization and ease of use, including maintenance ofthe system and care of plants being grown on the system. Other optionalfeatures include overhead netting 50 (FIG. 34) and automated controlsfor lighting and pumps, plumbing for water supplies, water drainage,nutrient supplies, and the like.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments canbe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw including the doctrine of equivalents.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A plant support traycomprising: a perimeter wall having a rear wall portion extendingbetween opposing first and second sidewall portions, an upper edgeportion and a lower edge portion, said lower edge portion lying in alower horizontal plane spaced below said upper edge portion; a planarplant support surface lying in an intermediate plane located betweensaid upper edge portion and the lower horizontal plane, and positionedinwardly of said perimeter wall, said planar plant support surfacehaving a front end region and a rear end region; a plurality ofspaced-apart primary drainage channels extending downwardly from saidplanar plant support surface below the intermediate plane, wherein saidprimary drainage channels are sloped downwardly from said rear endregion of said planar plant support surface to said front end region ofsaid planar plant support surface; and a trough positioned at said frontend region of said planar plant support surface, said trough comprisinga bottom trough surface positioned below said primary drainage channels;wherein said planar plant support surface extends from said rear wallportion to said trough, and extends from said first opposing sidewallportion to said second opposing sidewall portion.
 2. The plant supporttray of claim 1, wherein said upper edge portion of said perimeter walllies in a horizontal upper plane spaced above the intermediate plane. 3.The plant support tray of claim 1, wherein said trough is positionedforwardly of said front end of said planar plant support surface.
 4. Theplant support tray of claim 1, wherein said perimeter wall comprises acontinuous wall including a forward wall portion positioned forwardly ofsaid trough and said front end region of said planar plant supportsurface, a rearward wall portion positioned rearwardly of said planarplant support surface, and side wall portions positioned at oppositesides of said planar plant support surface.
 5. The plant support tray ofclaim 1, wherein said bottom trough surface is positioned at or abovethe lower horizontal plane.
 6. The plant support tray of claim 1,wherein said bottom trough surface defines a drain opening at one end ofsaid bottom trough surface, and said bottom trough surface is slopeddownwardly toward said one end.
 7. The plant support tray of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of spaced-apart secondary drainagechannels, said secondary drainage channels extending downwardly fromsaid planar plant support surface below the intermediate horizontalplane, wherein said secondary drainage channels are in fluidcommunication with said primary drainage channels.
 8. The plant supporttray of claim 1, wherein said perimeter wall, said planar plant supportsurface, said primary and secondary drainage channels, and said troughare unitarily formed.
 9. The plant support tray of claim 8, wherein saidtrough is positioned forwardly of said front end of said planar plantsupport surface, said perimeter wall comprises a continuous wallincluding a forward wall portion positioned forwardly of said trough, arearward wall portion positioned rearwardly of said planar plant supportsurface, and side wall portions positioned at opposite sides of saidplanar plant support surface, wherein said bottom trough surface ispositioned at or above the lower horizontal plane.
 10. A plant supporttray comprising: a perimeter wall having an upper edge portion lying inan upper plane and a lower edge portion lying in a lower plane, whereinsaid lower edge portion is spaced below said upper edge portion; a plantsupport surface lying in an intermediate horizontal plane locatedbetween the upper and lower planes and positioned inwardly of saidperimeter wall, said plant support surface having a front end region anda rear end region; a plurality of spaced-apart primary drainage channelsextending downwardly from said plant support surface below theintermediate plane, wherein said primary drainage channels are slopeddownwardly from said rear end region of said plant support surface tosaid front end region of said plant support surface; a plurality ofspaced-apart secondary drainage channels, said secondary drainagechannels extending downwardly from said plant support surface below theintermediate horizontal plane, wherein said secondary drainage channelsare fluidly connected with respective ones of said primary drainagechannels, and wherein said secondary drainage channels extend downwardlyfrom said plant support surface by a distance that is shorter than adistance by which said primary drainage channels extend downwardly fromsaid plant support surface; and a trough positioned at said front endregion of said plant support surface such that said primary andsecondary drainage channels are fluidly connected with said trough, saidtrough comprising a bottom trough surface positioned below said primaryand secondary drainage channels, wherein said bottom trough surfacedefines a drain opening at said bottom trough surface.
 11. The plantsupport tray of claim 10, wherein said trough is positioned between saidperimeter wall and said front end region of said plant support surface.12. The plant support tray of claim 10, wherein said bottom troughsurface is downwardly sloped toward said drain opening.
 13. The plantsupport tray of claim 12, wherein said bottom trough surface ispositioned at or above the lower plane.
 14. The plant support tray ofclaim 10, wherein said perimeter wall has a rear wall portion extendingbetween opposing first and second sidewall portions, and wherein saidplant support surface extends from said rear wall portion to saidtrough, and extends from said first sidewall portion to said secondsidewall portion.
 15. The plant support tray of claim 10, wherein saidsecondary drainage channels are oriented diagonally relative to theprimary drainage channels such that each of said secondary drainagechannels is downwardly sloped towards a respective one of said primarydrainage channels, wherein said secondary drainage channels compriselowermost secondary drainage channels disposed at said front end regionof said plant support surface, and wherein said lowermost secondarydrainage channels are directly fluidly connected with said trough. 16.The plant support tray of claim 10, wherein the intermediate horizontalplane of said plant support surface is substantially parallel with theupper and lower planes of said respective upper and lower edge portions.17. A plant support tray comprising: a perimeter wall having a rearwardwall portion and an opposing forward wall portion both extending betweenopposing sidewall portions, an upper edge portion lying in an upperhorizontal plane and a lower edge portion spaced below said upper edgeportion, said lower edge portion at said forward wall portion and atsaid rearward wall portion lying in a lower horizontal plane; a plantsupport surface lying in an intermediate horizontal plane between theupper horizontal plane and the lower horizontal plane, wherein saidplant support surface is positioned inwardly of said perimeter wall,said plant support surface having a front end region and a rear endregion; a plurality of spaced-apart primary drainage channels extendingdownwardly from said plant support surface, wherein said primarydrainage channels are sloped downwardly from said rear end region ofsaid plant support surface to said front end region of said plantsupport surface; a plurality of spaced-apart secondary drainage channelsextending downwardly from said plant support surface; and a troughpositioned at said front end region of said plant support surface suchthat said primary and secondary drainage channels are fluidly connectedwith said trough, said trough comprising a bottom trough surfacepositioned below said primary and secondary drainage channels; whereinsaid primary drainage channels, said secondary drainage channels, andsaid bottom trough surface are all positioned at or above the lowerhorizontal plane in which said lower edge portion of said perimeter walllies.
 18. The plant support tray of claim 17, wherein said bottom troughsurface defines a drain opening at said bottom trough surface, andwherein said bottom trough surface is downwardly sloped toward saiddrain opening.
 19. The plant support tray of claim 17, wherein saidbottom trough surface is positioned at or above the lower horizontalplane, wherein said secondary drainage channels extend downwardly fromsaid plant support surface by a distance that is shorter than a distanceby which said primary drainage channels extend downwardly from saidplant support surface, wherein said secondary drainage channels compriselowermost secondary drainage channels disposed at said front end regionof said plant support surface, and wherein said lowermost secondarydrainage channels are directly fluidly connected with said trough. 20.The plant support tray of claim 17, wherein said perimeter wall, saidplant support surface, said primary and secondary drainage channels, andsaid trough are unitarily formed of a resinous plastic, and wherein saidtrough is positioned forwardly of said front end of said plant supportsurface along a full width of said plant support surface, and whereinsaid perimeter wall comprises a continuous wall including a forward wallportion positioned forwardly of said trough, a rearward wall portionpositioned rearwardly of said plant support surface, and side wallportions positioned at opposite sides of said plant support surface.